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Apple has moved the iPhone to USB–C, bringing about the end of the Lightning port. Will this be a help or hindrance to users?
If you are lucky enough to get your hands on one of I the iPhone 15 range, perhaps the first thing you will notice is the cable that comes in the box is different to those from previous generations. That is because Apple is moving all its devices away from the Lightning port and to USB–C. And none of the old Lightning port accessories you’ve collected over the years are compatible anymore.
It is a hugely significant change from Apple, especially for the iPhone. The good thing about it is that USB–C is a universal standard, immediately giving Apple users access to a wider range of accessories. No more hoping third parties produce items with a Lightning connector.
It also means that it is easier to jump to and from being an iPhone user — the chargers and accessories that come with an Android phone and other devices should now largely work with the iPhone too. Or you can use some Apple devices and some non– Apple devices and just use the same cables. However, in the short term, it means those buying an iPhone 15 are going to have to buy new power adapters, cables and wired headphones, either from Apple or a third party, adding to the cost of the new phone.
There is a cynical argument that points out that this is all somewhat in Apple’s favor, at least in the short– term, even if it has had to stop using its proprietary Lightning technology. We purchased the iPhone 15 Pro and had to buy a new power adapter and EarPods alongside the phone itself at a total of $38. Purchases like that at the scale Apple sells iPhones seriously add to its bottom line. There is certainly a strong case that Apple should have returned to including a power adapter in the box with this generation of iPhones to help with the transition and built that into the cost of the device.
The switch, though, was ultimately not Apple’s choice. It came about following the European Union passing legislation demanding a single standard for charging. All phones and tablets sold in the bloc have to have USB–C connectors by the end of 2024. Commenting in October 2022 when the EU Parliament passed the legislation, its rapporteur Alex Agius Saliba said: “The common charger will finally become a reality in Europe. We have waited more than ten years for these rules, but we can finally leave the current plethora of chargers in the past. This future–proof law allows for the development of innovative charging solutions in the future, and it will benefit everyone — from frustrated consumers to our vulnerable environment.”
